Real Oak: 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan T4 Camper
The Volkswagen T4 Transporter replaced the aging Type 2 T3 in 1990 with a modern approach to the people carrier. Gone was the rear mounted flat engine and instead it shared a conventional front-engine front-drive setup, but they still have a dedicated enthusiast network and premium pricing. Find this 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan Camper offered for $10,000 in San Francisco, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
It is ironic to think that out of all Volkswagens you could have purchased new in 2003 that the Eurovan would hold the most residual value (both in actual dollars and in percentage…except for perhaps the R32?). Up front you will find a 2.5 liter inline-5 that put 110 horsepower and 140 ft-lbs of torque 24-valve VR6 making 204 horsepower to the front wheels via a 5-speed auto.
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Well, it is hard to say much about this one except: Worst photos ever? SF must be a really crowded place if you cannot find somewhere that you could stand more than 18 inches from your vehicle to take pictures.
Actually, I am not sure I have ever seen one of these vans in the wild, except as a dealer shuttle.
An '02 would have the VR6, not the inline 5. This thing has been on the local craigslist in the bay area for probably close to a year now. 'New trans' is a good thing, though I'd want to see receipts. The Auto trans in these are known for failures, apparently setup is everything. It would make a difference who built it.
Price is about what a really good stock non-poptop would go for. Not sure who the buyer is for this thing, most people that are going to drop big money on a Eurovan want an original factory pop top. This isn't cheap enough for a cheapskate, but to hacked up for a purist. Probably why it's still on the market.
Novek is correct. Last year of the 5 cylinder in the EVs was 1995, replaced thereafter by a 12v VR6 detuned to 140hp. But this one, being a 2002, is equipped with the 204hp 24v VR6.
The auto trans was taken directly from a MK III Golf/Jetta without any modification. The added weight and torque makes them failure prone, but on the bright side replacements are easily found.
Last year of the Vanagon was 1991. EVs didn't show up on these shores 'till 1993.
I had never heard that you could swap in a golf/jetta trans into these. I've long been a rear engined VW van guy and almost pulled the trigger on a '95 manual trans Eurovan full camper last summer. I got scared off by some of the parts now being damn hard to locate. (AC system, etc are different than the 97-02 version) and the price for what you get. I ended up finding a Provan Tiger motorhome built on a Chevy Astro chassis. It's better in almost every way, but I still find myself browsing craigslist for Eurovans from time to time.
Limited photos show it has been ridden hard and put away wet with more parking lot damage than a Walmart shopping cart.
LOL…You're getting closer, DT. It's a 4 speed auto, not a 5 speed.